McLaughlin scores twice as Fernie squares Kootenay Conference Final, Chiefs up two games on Eagles in Okanagan
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Connor McLaughlin spent a few seasons getting kicked around by the Beaver Valley Nitehawks as a member of the Nelson Leafs hockey club.
Sunday night in Fruitvale McLaughlin got a little revenge.
The Arizona native scored twice to lead the Fernie Ghostriders to a 6-3 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League playoff victory.
The win squares the best-of-seven Kootenay Conference Final at 1-1 and gives the Riders the all-important split with game’s three and four back in Fernie Tuesday and Wednesday.
Beaver Valley won the series opener 5-2.
Fernie won game two by out scoring the Hawks 4-2 in the second period to grab a 5-3 lead after 40 minutes.
Marty Wicks also scored twice for the Eddie Mountain champs with singles going to Patrick Webb and Brandon Burge.
Dallas Calvin scored twice and Max Flanagan added a single for Beaver Valley.
Fernie kept Beaver Valley’s top line in check in game two after the trio of Ryan Edwards, Chris Derochie and rookie Craig Martin finished game one with a combined total of eight points.
Beaver Valley out shot the Riders 35-29 Sunday.
Saturday, Beaver Valley build a 5-0 lead before the Riders came back late in the game to make the score respectable.
Martin, with a pair, Derochie, Mason Spear and Aire Postmus scored for Beaver Valley.
McLaughlin and Stefen Seel replied for Fernie.
Chiefs take command in Okanagan
The Kelowna Chiefs exploded for 13 goals in two games en route to grabbing a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Conference Final.
Landon Andrusiak had four points, including three goals during Saturday’s opener.
Sunday Scott Renner scored twice to lead the Chiefs,
The series resumes Tuesday in Sicamous.
